SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonim Technologies today announced three new members to its Public Safety Advisory Board, which was formed to ensure that first responders have the best communications devices, applications, services and tools required to get their jobs done quickly and reliably. 

Each of these members has been intimately involved over the last decade in efforts to make The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) a reality and include public safety officials from around the country.

They are:

• Bill Schrier, who has been in law enforcement since 1977 and is now senior policy advisor and program manager for the State of Washington's Office of the CIO. In this capacity he chairs the State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), serves as the primary point of contact for the FirstNet effort in the State, and evangelizes open government initiatives.
• Chief Al Gillespie who began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1977 and became a career firefighter in 1980. He has served as a paramedic, a company officer and a line battalion chief. Gillespie has testified before both U.S. Senate and House committees on issues related to public safety communications and emergency medical response.
• William Leist, who has 34 years of law enforcement administration and technology experience, is now a consultant for American Reliance, which provides biometric technology for law enforcement and military applications.

"We are honored to have fire and law enforcement professionals of this caliber involved in our Public Safety Advisory Board," said Sonim CEO Bob Plaschke. "There is still a lot of work to be done to get the FirstNet network launched, but I'm confident that this group will be an integral part through their collective expertise, industry relationships and continued commitment."

The First Responder Network Authority has been designated by Congress to take all actions necessary to ensure the building, deployment and operation of a nationwide public safety broadband network. Sonim is the first and only Tier One smartphone OEM that has released a commercially available smartphone platform that enables first responders to get broadband access on the FirstNet Band 14 wireless spectrum while also working on commercial networks like AT&T's.

ABOUT SONIM TECHNOLOGIES:
Sonim Technologies (http://www.sonimtech.com) is the provider of mission-critical solutions designed specifically for workers in extreme, hazardous and isolated environments. The Sonim solution includes ultra-rugged mobile phones, business-process applications and a suite of industrial-grade accessories, collectively designed to increase worker productivity, accountability and safety on the job site. Sonim's industry-leading, 3-year comprehensive warranty has redefined customer expectations of rugged technology. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, Calif., and offers its products with mobile operators around the world.

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SOURCE Sonim Technologies